Natalie Morales recently returned from Chile, where she spent time with the friends and families of the trapped miners. She talked to Latina.com about the experience of the women who have been waiting for their men to be rescued and shared some insight into the makeshift community that they have built.

When asked what was the most notable characteristic of the women, Morales described “Their resilience, their spirit, their courage."

Shakira put on a big show in New York city this week for a sold-out crowd at Madison Square Garden. Front and center at the concert were Chilean President Michelle Bachelet and the President of Colombia Juan Manuel Santos, who are in town for the United Nations General Assembly. The Presidents took pictures with fans as they were escorted to their respective seats by Secret Service. Shakira personally thanked them both from the stage for coming to see her.

Chilean miner Esteban Rojas—who has been trapped underground since the mine he was working in collapsed on August 5th—may have just won himself the honor of delivering the most dramatic proposal ever.

As family members of the trapped miners gathered around to see their loved ones on video and speak to them for the first time since the accident, Rojas, 44, took the opportunity to send a note to his sweetheart Jessica Ganiez, 43 that read: "When I get out, let’s buy the dress and we’ll get married."

33 Chilean miners, who have been trapped in a refuge for 21 days since the access pass to the mine was blocked off by fallen rock, showed the power of the human spirit when video of them was released today by the Chile Ministry of Mining. In the video, which was originally 45 minutes and aired on Chilean television, the miners give a tour of their tight quarters, thank everyone who is working to free them—even giving a round of applause, send messages to their loved ones and sang the Chilean national anthem.

Although Chilean rapper Anita Tijoux has been rhyming since the mid-90’s, stateside we’ve been missing out. Luckily for us, she’s finally making her U.S. debut! Her upcoming album, 1977 (out April 27; Nacional Records), named for the year of her birth, should bring listeners up to speed on her life story (she was born in France during Pinochet’s dictatorship) and her old-school lyrical style. I had a chance to catch up with Tijoux while she was in town for some shows in NYC and here’s what she had to say:

Anyone who has visited Chile in the past knows that Chileans are some of the most hospitable people in the world—always willing to lend a hand to someone in need. I’ve been to both Santiago and Valparaiso and I’m always surprised how friendly locals are, especially as a native New Yorker since we’re taught from an early age to keep to ourselves. Not in Chile. I’ve had folks walk me to the metro station when I looked hopelessly lost and even invite me over to their homes for dinner with their friends and family. That’s just the Chilean way.

Just one and half months after a devastating earthquake hit Haiti, another, measuring an 8.8 magnitude, hit the South American country of Chile this weekend, killing a reported 708 people and leaving 1.5 million without power in the capital of Santiago. Rescuers worked through the night on Saturday to help free people who may be trapped in a 15-story building in Concepcion, about 70 miles from the center of the quake. Adding injury to the rescue efforts, six hospitals collapsed and another two have been severely damaged, making medical aid for survivors even more of a challenge.

Billionaire Sebastian Piñera recently won the Chilean presidential election, and became the first conservative leader to gain power in the country since Augusto Pinochet's rule ended 20 years ago. People were surprised by the outcome, especially given current Chilean president, Michelle Bachelet's enormous popularity. Bachelet is a socialist leader who has reformed the economic policies of Chile and defeated Piñera in 2006 to become the country's first female president.

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